Clarence Kenneth Ouwenga

October 10, 1918 - January 31, 2019

Clarence Kenneth Ouwenga, age 100, of Manteno, died on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Riverside Senior Living in Bourbonnais, IL. Clarence was born on October 10, 1918 to Nicholas and Hilda (Piersma) Ouwenga in Worth, IL. He married Emily Oosterhoff on October 9, 1943 in Momence, IL. Emily died in 2012. Agriculture was Clarence’s life. He took on the responsibility of his dad’s vegetable farm at the age of 18. He took much pride in raising vegetables before retiring from farming in 1996. He and his wife Emily were charter members of Faith Reformed Church in Kankakee where he served on the church board and was a past elder and deacon. He was also a member and past director of the Kankakee Farm Bureau, and a past director of Farmers Elevator Co. of Manteno. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling and playing pinochle. Much of their time was also spent enjoying their children, grandchildren and their families. Clarence is survived by his three sons, Lawrence (Velma) Ouwenga of DeMotte, IN, Warren (Sharon) Ouwenga of Bourbonnais, IL and Richard (Katherine) Ouwenga of Manteno, IL; three daughters, Joan Lamie of Manteno, IL, Judith (Louis) Bury of Downers Grove, IL and Janet Sorensen of Manteno, IL; 15 grandchildren, Rachel (Scott) Oudbier, Laura (Joe) VanderMeer, Ronald (Julie) Ouwenga, Michelle (Ryan) Sparrow, Kimberly (Michael) Vilendrer, Dr. April Ouwenga, Andrea (Troy) Vanderhule, Mark (Lindsey) Lamie, Carrie (Nathan) LeRoy, Matt Bury and Jillian Bury, Erin (Dr. Nicholas) Rogers, Nikki (Dr. Benjamin) Parsons, Kurt Sorensen, Jeremy Sorensen and Corina Sorensen; 42 great- grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren with a sixth due in March, one brother-in-law, Richard (Judy) Oosterhoff of Bourbonnais, IL and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Emily; one sister, Mildred Ouwenga; two brothers, Donald and James Ouwenga; son-in-law, Loran Lamie (April 30, 2018) and one grandson, Dr. Michael Kenneth Ouwenga (January 19, 2019). Visitation will be held on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schreffler Funeral Homes, Bourbonnais Chapel. Another visitation will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Clarence’s funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Reformed Church at 2400 Waldron Road in Kankakee, IL. Burial will be at Chapel Hills Garden South in Oak Lawn, IL. Memorials may be made to Faith Reformed Church or to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.